California is home to over 110 federally recognized tribes, and numerous others are working to gain sovereign status—representing the largest Indigenous population in the U.S. Engage with cultural bearers from the Cahuilla and Washoe people as we traverse the desert and mountain landscapes of their homelands in southern California, a place deeply connected to the broader Indigenous story of the Southwest and the American West.

Discover the deep layers of archaeology, the diverse uses of traditional plants, and migration routes. Explore cascading waterfalls and oases in the desert and the coolness of revered mountains. Witness the revitalization efforts of language, longstanding oral traditions, and the resilience of a people not readily silenced by outside forces. The program highlights how California’s Indigenous peoples are part of a regional and continental story of resilience and continuity.

Rev. Dr. Jackie Cope is an enrolled member of the Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada, whose ancestral homelands span the Sierra Nevada Mountains and sacred da’aw (Lake Tahoe).

Alicia (Ali) Benally is a Crow Canyon educator of the Coyote Moiety from the Mountain Cahuilla of California.

Learn from Indigenous Knowledge Keepers: Engage directly with knowledgeable community members, artists, and singers to experience living traditions and cultural resilience.

Explore Iconic Landscapes: From Joshua Tree to Tahquitz Canyon, immerse yourself in the desert and mountain environments that shaped Indigenous lifeways.

Connect with Local Communities: Discover Palm Springs and Idyllwild, where histories, cultures, and contemporary lifeways intersect.

The program takes place at elevations ranging from sea level and 5,500 feet. Activities include van travel, light hiking, and museum visits. Some days involve van rides of up to 1.5 hours; others are shorter with multiple stops. All travel is by van on highways and rural roads. Our pace will be somewhat leisurely, and assistance will be provided, but you must be comfortable hiking and standing for several hours at a time.

What time does the program start on the first day? We will gather at 5:00 p.m. at the hotel on the first day of the program. 

What time does the program end on the last day? Saturday is a travel day and no programming is scheduled. Transportation will be provided to the Palm Springs International Airport and Hotel. Please schedule your airport departure for after 9:00 a.m. to allow travel time from Anza, CA (approximately a one-hour drive).

Can I arrive early and/or stay late? Yes. Sometimes hotels will extend our group rate to individuals arriving early or staying after the program. If you plan to arrive early or stay later, you will need to arrange your own transportation outside of the start and end dates of the program. Contact the Program Manager for more information. 

How strenuous is the program? This program includes two days of easy hiking on dirt trails. Hikes will be under two miles with less than 300 feet of elevation gain/loss. Be prepared to be on your feet walking and standing for several hours at a time. This is an active trip but not technical. Days will include a mix of walking on natural surfaces and urban surfaces such as museums, city streets, etc. Temperatures may be hot, and we will adjust activities as needed.  

How long are the drives on the program? Some days will include van rides of up to 1.5 hours, while other days may involve shorter rides of less than 30 minutes with multiple stops. All travel will be by van on highways and rural roads. Our pace will be somewhat leisurely, and assistance will be provided, but you must be comfortable hiking and standing for several hours at a time.

Will there be opportunities for swimming? Yes. The Agua Caliente Resort has a pool.

From which airports will transportation be provided? Transportation will be provided from Palm Springs International Airport.

Will bathroom facilities be readily available throughout the event? For most of the trip bathroom facilities will be accessible. There may be stretches of time where facilities are unavailable, such as Joshua Tree National Park. We will make efforts to stop for breaks before losing access to facilities. 

Where should I park my car? Participants who drive may park at the hotel for the duration of the program. 

Can I drive myself during the week? No, we will travel as a group in Crow Canyon vehicles throughout the trip.

What if I have a dietary restriction? We will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions to your satisfaction. Make a note of restrictions and requests upon registration. If you have questions, contact the Program Manager to discuss options and needs.

Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California CST 2059347-50

• Deposit is fully refundable minus service and processing fees until 90 days prior to the program date.
  

• Full payment due 90 days prior to the program start date.
  

• If cancellation notice is received between 90 days and 60 days from the program start date, 50% of the tuition will be retained
  

• If cancellation notice is received between 60 days and the program start date, 100% of the tuition will be retained.
  

Begin the week with introductions, a delicious meal, and an engaging overview that sparks curiosity and frames the week’s focus on Indigenous cultures, landscapes, and resilience.

Overnight: Palm Springs, CA

We begin our journey in the dramatic landscape of Palm Springs, building a foundation of knowledge for the week. Learn how Cahuilla lifeways have been shaped by and continue to interact with these environments. Visit significant places featuring ancient dwellings, milling areas, and native plants vital to the Cahuilla people. Our day offers a tangible connection to place as we appreciate the enduring cultural significance of the region.

Activity level: 1.5-mile hike, 200 ft elevation gain, maintained trail.

Overnight: Palm Springs, CA

Dive into traditional and adaptive sustainability practices of Southern California tribes. Visit a tribally owned farm and learn about traditional plants and their uses, exploring how Indigenous sovereignty shapes contemporary food systems and environmental stewardship. In the afternoon, the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum offers a chance to see ancestral cultural items, highlighting the continuity of Indigenous knowledge and artistry. Participants will leave with enhanced understanding of cultural resilience and contemporary tribal life.

Overnight: Palm Springs, CA 

Joshua Tree is a storied area where tribes, past and present, converged long before modern borders existed. Explore the Oasis of Mara and discover how the desert supported thriving communities. We experience firsthand the ways Indigenous peoples adapted to and shaped their environment, reinforcing lessons of deep human-environment connections.

Overnight: Palm Springs, CA

Today we gain insight into human adaptation across diverse ecosystems, the movement of cultural knowledge, and the ongoing creativity of Indigenous communities. Travel from desert to mountain landscapes and learn about ancestral and contemporary migration patterns among the Cahuilla people. Visit culturally significant sites for food processing and see rock imagery along the Pacific Crest Trail. Explore Idyllwild, a vibrant arts center for many Indigenous artists.

Overnight: Cahuilla Casino Hotel, Anza, CA

Spend the day on the Cahuilla reservation engaging with living culture. Experience bird songs, dance, basket weaving, and beadwork demonstrations. Breakfast and lunch are prepared by Indigenous women, offer a personal connection to contemporary traditions. Reflect on the week’s journey and the lessons of resilience, sovereignty, and cultural continuity.

Overnight Cahuilla Casino Hotel, Anza, CA

Departures to Palm Springs Airport (1 hour and 10 minute drive from Cahuilla). Achaquen Ehichine “go in a good way” and leave with a deepened appreciation for Indigenous lifeways, strengthened connection to cultural landscapes, and insights to carry forward.